10 beautiful West Coast road trips

The Cascade Mountain Range is home to some of the most iconic peaks in North America. Begin in Seattle, head north to Deception Pass (optional add-on: drive across the bridge to idyllic Whidbey Island), and marvel at the ocean views. Then head east on Highway 20 until you hit the North Cascades Highway. Then follow 20 through cute towns like Winthrop and Twisp before heading south to check out Lake Chelan and Washington’s own German village: Leavenworth. Note that the North Cascades Highways closes seasonally from November through April or May, so check before you depart! Allow for around a week to complete.

Start in San Francisco or Los Angeles and then head south or north, following the famous Highway 1 along the coast. Take in classic Californian sites like the Golden State Bridge, Big Sur, and central coast beaches. Make sure to stop in Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Santa Barbara on the way. Allow for at least three-to-five days to enjoy breaks and scenery!

One of my favorite parts of the world is right in my home state, with Highway 101 circling the peninsula for 300 miles. Start by taking the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, where you can go wine tasting, browse the cute town, and enjoy views across the sound. Then continue on the 104 to adorable Port Townsend before spending a few days camping, surfing, hiking, or skiing in the winter at Olympic National Park. Highlights in the park include Hurricane Ridge, Forks, the coast, and the Hoh Rainforest. Plan between six and nine days for this route.

Start at Crater Lake in Oregon, the state’s most breathtaking site. Head south on Route 97 and stop at Klamath Falls before crossing the state line into California. Enjoy Mount Shasta and its refreshing lake before heading for the Lassen Volcanic Park. Allow for at least five days to ensure enough time at each destination.

Southern California is a bucket-list destination for many — and for a good reason. Full of white sandy beaches, palm trees, and endless sunshine, the area is truly the stuff of dreams. And nowhere sums that up better than the section between beautiful Santa Barbara and San Diego. Take in the best SoCal coastline from Mussel Shoals to Ventura and the famous Orange Country Beaches. This can easily be done in a day, but allow a few extra to enjoy each place.

A shorter portion of the Pacific Highway route that traverses the state, this option begins in San Fransisco. From there, head to Santa Cruz, followed by Monterey and the Carmel Highlands. Then, continue further south to amazing Big Sur and the Bixby Bridge, spend a few days hiking and camping, and don’t forget the hot springs! Further south, stop at Morro Bay and Los Osos State Park for a completely different California. End in San Luis Obispo and allow at least a week.

From Bend, enter Deschutes National Forest and meander into the Central Cascades for jaw-dropping views. The just-under 70 miles route takes you through sweeping mountain vistas and epic lakes. Allow for at least a long weekend, and remember the route is typically closed for the winter from November until May.

California’s coast usually receives all the attention, but the lovely inland parks should not be missed! Everyone knows iconic Yosemite, its world-famous waterfalls, and El Capitan. Begin here before continuing to Sequoia, where you can marvel at a different kind of tree than the typical palms out west. Finally, head to the most extreme place in the country — Death Valley. Allow for at least five-to-seven days.

Start in world-renowned Napa and hit up major wineries like Beringer (California’s oldest) and Trefethen. Bonus: hop on the Napa Wine Train during your tasting days for the safest experience. Then head west to lesser-visited Sonoma County, where award-winning vines are also located. This trip can be made in a long weekend or so.

This starts in Seattle and goes through British Columbia before ending in a state not typically considered the West Coast. From the Emerald City, head north and cross into Canada (don’t forget passports) before stopping in Vancouver and Prince George. Continue north until you reach the Yukon territory before finally arriving in Anchorage. Allow at least a week, and bring plenty of supplies and knowledge of changing a tire!